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I’m black and haven’t watched 12 years a slave. I didn’t watch the Help or the Butler either. In fact, I didn’t and had no intentions on watching the Oscars… but I do congratulate them on their award, on obtaining a slice of their dreams, on the confidence that so many young brothers and sisters will have who are struggling with believing in themselves in a world that is constantly telling them they are nothing.

To my young brothers and sisters who are looking at their dreams and wondering if they are capable, if they are worthy, if they can. I will simply say; Yes!!! You can, you are worthy, you are more capable and amazing than you will ever know, and you are and have always been beautiful even if society refuses to validate you. I say those things to you in hopes that you never give your power to anyone else. In hopes that you understand that even though it’s nice to be recognized for your effort, it is not a requirement for you to achieve your greatness; do not allow them to have that kind of power over your dreams. Keep moving forward, keep grinding, keep pushing toward your dreams even if it seems you are the only one who believes in them. Above all else – believe in and love yourself. I love you; I believe in you; I wish the best for you today and always. ~ Sean King

This morning, like a lot of other mornings, I woke up and wanted to talk to my loved ones that have already passed on. To be honest, this is not something that makes me sad or angry, just a reality for someone that has said goodbye to a lot of people over a relatively short life. It’s a reality that has taught me about mortality, dreams, friendship, appreciating the here and now, and the importance of not wasting moments. Through this reality, I have learned the importance of every single breath, of every interaction, of passionately pursuing my dreams from the time I wake up (God Willing/Insha’Allah) until I rest my head at night, and of you. This reality has helped me to move away from the idea of the American dream and toward God’s purpose. It has taught me to stop counting on tomorrow’s and to quit assuming I’ll have another chance to make it right. Most importantly, it has taught me passion.

When you sit down with me, when we communicate in passing, when you read what I’ve written or watch how I’m living, I hope the thing you see is someone who is passionate about friendship, about using my gifts to help someone, about life, and about love.

Why do I share this? I share this so that you can understand what I’ve come to understand. We have been given but a few ticks on the clock of eternity to achieve an infinite amount of dreams and to express an infinite amount of love; we don’t have a single breath to waste on the bullshit.

When someone ask you,
Who are you?
What will be the first words out of your mouth?
my name is …
I work at …
I’m a manager at …
I’m a lawyer,
a doctor,
a teacher,
I run a …
I do …
I’m a …
I am

When you ask yourself,
Who am I?”
What are the first words that come to your mind?
mother
father
Christian
Muslim
black man
gay woman
activist
student
failure
prisoner
work in progress
I’m a …
I am

When someone ask you
How would you describe yourself?
What will you say?
I’m tall
I’m short
I’m dark
I’m light
I have long hair
I’m skinny
I’m Cuban
I’m Indian
I’m West African
I’m American
I’m a poet
I’m a …
I am

When your time is over,
What will they say about you?
How will you be remembered?
What will your legacy be?
What mark will you leave?
What will be your story?

When your creator ask you,
What are you doing with the life I gave you?

Do you think you’ll still be able to hide behind your labels?
…Muslim
…Christian
…Hindu
…American
…Indian
…Black